How Do VCs Decide to Take That First Meeting?

ere's a sobering fact: Your average VC sees up to about 1,000 companies yearly..but only meets with 200 of them. 

And invest in? Just 4. 

That means 80% of companies don't even get through the door.

So as a founder, how do you increase your chances of getting that coveted Zoom link or coffee chat with a VC?

Let’s dive into some of the stuff most folks don’t talk about.

The VC Psychology You Need to Know

VCs are professional pattern matchers, but not in the way most founders think. They're not just matching your company against successful ones – they're matching your behaviors, communication style, and thinking patterns against founders who've succeeded in their portfolio.

The first thing they're asking themselves might not be "Could this be a billion-dollar company?" It's "Is this founder someone I want to work with for the next 7-10 years?" This changes everything about how you should approach them.

VCs are also constantly balancing two competing forces: FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and the fear of making a bad investment. They need to move fast enough not to miss the next big thing but slow enough to avoid costly mistakes. 

The Hidden Decision-Making Framework

While most VCs may not admit it, they often make the initial decision to meet in under two minutes. Here's their typical thought process:

1. Pattern Recognition: "Does this remind me of something that worked before?"
2. Risk Assessment: "What could go terribly wrong here?"
3. Potential Impact: "If everything goes right, how big could this be?"
4. Team Capability: "Can these specific people actually pull this off?"

They're running these questions simultaneously while reading your email or pitch deck. That's why clarity and quick impact matter so much.

How VCs Think About Your First Message

Think of VCs as detectives (the good ones, at least). When they get your email or LinkedIn message, they look for clues about how you think and solve problems. The way you explain your company matters more than you might think.

For example, if you're building something complex like an AI platform, VCs pay attention to whether you can explain it in simple terms. A good explanation might be: "We help doctors spot diseases in X-rays faster and more accurately using machine learning." This shows you can break down complicated ideas into something anyone can understand.

The Perfect Timing Nobody Talks About

VCs follow cycles. These cycles affect when they're most likely to take meetings. Here's what that means for you:

When a VC firm has just raised a new fund, it is usually more open to meetings. It's like having a fresh budget at the start of the month—they're ready to spend. But if they're nearing the end of their fund, they might be more selective.

Another timing factor is what they've recently invested in. If a VC backed three software companies, they might be more interested in meeting founders building something different, like healthcare or consumer products. This helps them spread their risk across different types of companies.

Building Relationships That Actually Matter

Instead of just asking for meetings, smart founders build relationships first. One founder I know created a detailed report about problems in their industry and shared it with VCs months before they needed money. When they finally reached out for meetings, most VCs already knew who they were and said yes.

This works because you're giving before asking. It's like building friendships – people are more likely to help those who've helped them first.

Standing Out Without Showing Off

The best way to get attention isn't to brag about your achievements. Instead, show that you deeply understand your market and customers by sharing specific stories about problems you've solved or insights you've discovered.

For example, instead of saying, "We're growing fast," you might say, "We found that restaurants waste 30% of their fresh ingredients, so we built a system that helps them order the exact amounts they need. Our first ten customers reduced their waste by 50% in two months."

Making Your First Contact Count

When you reach out to VCs, timing matters. Tuesday through Thursday mornings typically work best. Your message should be clear and specific. Instead of writing a long email, focus on these key points:

• What problem you're solving and why it matters
• How you're solving it differently from others
• Why you're reaching out to this specific VC
• What you'd like to discuss in a meeting

The Follow-Up Strategy

If you don't hear back right away, don't panic. Wait about a week before following up. When you do, add something new and valuable to the conversation. For example, you could share a recent achievement or a new insight about your market.

Why This All Matters

Getting that first VC meeting is like getting your foot in the door. While it might seem like a simple yes/no decision, a lot is happening behind the scenes. Understanding these hidden factors helps you approach VCs in a way that gets their attention.

Remember, VCs are looking for founders who can create great products and relationships. Show them you're thoughtful, prepared, and easy to work with, and you'll stand out from the crowd.

The key isn't just to get a meeting—it's to get the proper meeting with the right VC at the right time. Focus on building genuine connections and sharing real value; the invites will start coming in.

Want to learn more about navigating the VC world? Check out GoingVC's resources, where we explore these strategies further and share real examples from successful founders.

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